Overview

What Are Gynecologic Cancers?

Gynecologic cancers include any cancer that develops in a woman's reproductive organs, which sit below the stomach and between the hip bones. Gynecologic cancers include:

• Cervical cancer: Cervical cancer occurs when cancer cells grow on the lower part of the uterus, called the cervix.
• Endometrial cancer: Endometrial cancer occurs when cancer cells grow in the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium.
• Ovarian cancer: Ovarian cancer occurs when cancer cells grow in the ovaries, the female reproductive organs that produce eggs.
• Uterine cancer: Uterine cancer occurs when cancer cells grow in the uterus, a female reproductive organ also known as the womb, located between the rectum and bladder.
• Vaginal cancer: Vaginal cancer occurs when cancer cells grow in the vagina, which is the canal from the cervix (lowest part of the uterus) to the outside of the body.
• Vulvar cancer: Vulvar cancer occurs when cancer cells grow on the vulva, the outer portion of the female genitals.
• Fallopian tube cancer: Fallopian tube cancer occurs when cancer cells grow in the fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus. Fallopian tube cancer is the rarest of the gynecologic cancers.

Each gynecologic cancer has its own unique set of risk factors, symptoms, prevention strategies and treatment options. As with most cancers, treatment is most effective when the cancer is detected in its early stages.